“I am supremely confident in Bill’s abilities to take over the responsibilities as Adjutant General without missing a beat,” said Hoyer. “He is a proven leader, well-respected among the troops, and I cannot wait to see his vision for our force become realized. Great things are ahead for our Guard, and I couldn’t be prouder to turn the reins over to Bill and his team.”
Crane, known as a process-oriented leader, is ready as he assumes full command and to continue the legacy of those, including Hoyer, who came before him.
“It’s clear that there are big shoes to fill in the departure of Major General Hoyer,” said Crane. “I have no doubt that the vision and priorities we have established as a new team will lead the Guard into even more successes here at home and abroad. I envision our organization embodying the One Guard family motto, meaning our Soldiers, Airmen, their families, our retirees, and civilian workforce are our most valuable asset and our West Virginia values set us apart from other organizations. There are numerous other priorities such as leadership development, diversification of our force, capitalizing on our unique units, talent, and terrain in West Virginia and the promoting of our national level training assets to name a few.”
The man Crane is taking over for has left an indelible mark on the WVNG and the Mountain State.
Hoyer began his military career in the West Virginia National Guard as a cavalry officer after being commissioned through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at the University of Charleston. He attended the Special Forces Officer Qualification course and spent over 14 years with the 2nd Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
As Adjutant General, Hoyer led the development of the West Virginia National Guard Counter-Drug Task Force and the Joint Interagency Training and Education Center and its Center for National Response, a national level operational and training capability for critical infrastructure protection and consequence response.
Other accomplishments by the WVNG during Hoyer’s tenure include spearheading the Pathways Program with West Virginia Department of Education for Mountaineer ChalleNGe Academy cadets to earn their high school diploma upon MCA graduation, the establishment of a second MCA in Montgomery, launch of the Future Leaders Program in high schools across the state, development and expansion of the Patriot Guardens program, and overseeing interagency support for multiple National and World Scout Jamborees held in West Virginia.
Over the past year, Hoyer has led the WVNG’s efforts to combat the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing operations to include deployment of more than 700 Guardsmen at the peak of response across the entire state. He has pushed for building a solid team of interagency partners to coordinate and enhance operations to serve and protect the citizens of West Virginia, and placed special emphasis on innovation, leading West Virginia to trailblaze efforts in regard to personal protective equipment design and production as well as mobile disinfection equipment and procedures.
While hanging up his uniform, Hoyer will remain involved as the leader of the state’s Joint Interagency Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccines, even as he begins a new role at West Virginia University serving as a senior associate vice president. He will also continue to be heavily involved in economic development initiatives around the state as a part of Gov. Justice’s administration, including the recently announced Virgin Hyperloop Certification Center. |
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